Comedian Kiku Sharda was arrested for allegedly hurting the religious sentiments of the self-proclaimed godman's followers.

January 13, 2016 20:52 IST

UPDATE: 8.45 pm -- Comedian Kiku Sharda, who was arrested on Wednesday morning, has been released on bail. The "Comedy Nights With Kapil" actor has been released on a surety bond of Rs 1 lakh.

Earlier this evening, Dera Chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh tweeted that he has forgiven Kiku for the act.

"I was busy shooting OnlineGurukul; just got to know, devotees are hurt due to Kiku's action.If he has apologized, no complaint from my side," the self-proclaimed godman tweeted.

Original

Comedian Kiku Sharda, popular as Palak of "Comedy Nights With Kapil", has been booked for allegedly hurting the religious sentiments of the followers of self-proclaimed godman Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.

Singh's followers filed a case against the comedian after he mimicked the self-proclaimed godman in a show, which was aired on 27 December. The case was filed on 1 January but the actor was arrested on Wednesday morning.

According to India-Forum, Kiku was shooting the last episode of "Comedy Night With Kapil" till 2 am in Mumbai. After finishing the shoot, Kiku was arrested under Section 295 A of the IPC (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings) and was taken to Aarey Police Station, Mumbai. Kiku was taken to Delhi from where he will be taken to Haryana for further investigation.

Kiku's act on Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh irked his followers, following which they protested against the comedian. Later, the comedian apologised for mimicking the spiritual leader and said that he didn't plan to do that act and it was just a coincidence.

" I have a lot of respect for Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singhji. The look [on the show] wasn't deliberate; it just happened to match [Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh's look]. We didn't plan it as a spoof on him. It's a coincidence, and it is unfortunate. I am sorry that people felt hurt. We never try to do any such thing intentionally, or try to get headlines out of it, or want people to talk about our show in this manner. There is nothing more to it," Kiku told Hindustan Times.

UPDATE: 8.35 pm -- Comedian Kiku Sharda, who was arrested on Wednesday morning, has been released on bail. The "Comedy Nights With Kapil" actor has been released on jail on surety bond of Rs 1 lakh.

Earlier this evening, Dera Chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh tweeted saying that he has forgiven Kiku for the act.

"I was busy shooting OnlineGurukul; just got to know, devotees are hurt due to Kiku's action.If he has apologized, no complaint from my side," the self-proclaimed godman tweeted.